Regions of Knowledge
WP and calls for proposals 2008
Warszawa, 5.01.2008
European Commission
DG RTD/B4
Anna Rémond
Objectives
Two objectives for all European regions:
Strengthen their capacity for
investing in RTD and carrying
out research activities
Produce research strategies
that contribute
to regional economic
development
Through the development of regional ‘researchdriven clusters’
Associated and candidate countries are also eligible
What is a regional
research-driven cluster?
Regional
Authority
Research
Entity
Regional
Research–
Driven
Cluster
Business
entity
(e.g. SME)
Other Actors
(e.g. TTOs,
consultants)
Expected outcome and impact
Expected Outcome
 Improve links between research actors and business
community
 Foster transnational / cross-border cooperation
 Enhance mutual learning and exchanges of experience and
best practices between regional actors
Expected impact
 Regional economical growth in selected domains
 Response to the needs of regional business communities
 Mobilisation of local, national and community funds
(including SF) to implement defined regional action plans in
support of regional economic development
Work Programme for 2008
Main activities in 2008
Two calls foreseen for a total of 10,1 M €:
• REGIONS-2008-1 (9.3 M €)
Analysis, mentoring, integration of research agendas and definition of
Joint Action Plans
• REGIONS-2008-2 (0.8 M €)
Facilitating the emergence of new regional research driven clusters
and mutual exchange of information
Thematic priorities in 2008 :
• Maximising the benefits of research infrastructures for
regional economic development
• Regional contributions to the reduction of CO2
emissions
REGIONS-2008-1
Analysis, mentoring, integration of research agendas
and definition of Joint Action Plans
Activities
• Analysis, development and implementation of research agendas
• Initiatives to improve integration: definition of joint action plans,
together with business plans – following SWOT analysis and
definition of RTD needs
• Dissemination activities
• Mentoring of regions with a less developed research profile or
mutual learning
Participants
• Consortia of at least two regional research-driven clusters or
a cross-border cluster… i.e. counting at least 6 partners from 2
countries – and respecting the triple helix
REGIONS-2008-2
Facilitating the emergence of new clusters
and mutual information
Activities
• Creation of new research driven clusters
• Analysis, workshops, roundtables, expert group meetings,
dissemination activities, including web-based initiatives
Participants
• at least 3 participants (one research entity, one regional
authority, one business entity) - from the same region
• or one research driven cluster (for mutual information
activities)
Funding scheme overview
funding
scheme
REGION-2008-1
Analysis,
mentoring,
integration of
research actors
and definition of
JAP
duration
Community
contribution
% of total
eligible cost
coordination
and support
action
up to
36 months
approx.
1M€
up to 100%
REGION-2008-2
coordination
New clusters and and support
mutual information action
up to
24 months
Approx.
200.000 €
up to 100%
Selection and
negotiation
• Timetable of procedure
 Calls for proposals published : 30/11/2007
 Deadline for submission : 14/03/2008
 Selection, with help of independent experts – within 3
months of call closure
 Negotiation phase (July-October)
 Commission decision in November
 Signature of grant agreement and entry into force, if
possible before year end
Submission,
Evaluation & Selection
• Reminder : Eligibility criteria, especially for
Cluster composition
• Evaluation criteria:
Relevance to the objectives of the work programme;
Scientific and technological excellence
Quality and efficiency of the implementation and
management tailor made to your proposal
Potential impact – through the development,
dissemination and use of project results
Pre-proposal check
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
until 15 February 2008
Research Enquiry Service
• ec.europa.eu/research/enquiries
Assistance
• On line submission (EPSS) :
EPSS Helpdesk, tel. 32.2.233 37 60
EPSS user guide :
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=UserSite.
FP7SubmitProposalPage
• Partner search :
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/partners_en.html
• IPR Helpdesk
http://www.ipr-helpdesk.org